Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Feb 24: There is a possibility of the new map which will give new scope for the development of coastal tourism. It is a year after the CRZ new notifications were given to the city.

If CRZ notification of 2019 is to be implemented, a new map is required. Till then the rules of 2011 notification will be in force.

There is a long standing demand that tourism should be developed in coastal Karnataka, in the model of Goa. As complementary to this demand, some rules are relaxed in the CRZ notification. In certain beaches, where tourism can be developed, there is opportunity to construct certain structures.

After Covid though there is lots of enthusiasm to develop tourism, the non-arrival of a new map has set back the process. The Union government has published CRZ notification in January 2019. However, due to Covid pandemic, the required map was not released. However, it is expected to be finalized in March.

The official agency for preparing CRZ plan and map is National Center for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) of Chennai. The work of handing over some rural maps that were left behind is being done. By March the final map will arrive as per the information shared by an official of Mangaluru CRZ.

If the map is made according to the new notification of 2019, it may benefit tourism and the fishermen of the coastal region. At present there is no provision to construct any structure on beaches. State government was objecting this fact as tourism cannot be developed for the same region. However, as soon as the new map arrives there will be opportunity to build certain structures in Goa style. Already 10 beaches including Someshwara, Panambur, Idya, Tannirbhavi, Surathkal, Sasihitlu and Bengre are notified and sent to the authority. There will be scope for development of these beaches once the new map
arrives.

In the notification of 2019, permission is given to fishermen to build houses. At present there is restriction up to 100 meters from the river bank. According to the new notification this will be only up to 50 meters. In 2006, CMZ had made some changes in the 1991 notification of CRZ and sent out a draft notification. However, as there was objection, it was withdrawn and implemented again in 2011. On the basis of this a new project was formed in 2018. In 2019 December the project was approved.

Once the draft is ready, objections will be received from the public of three districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada. Public hearing meeting will be held under the presidency of DC. Once the petitions and objections are registered, the district administration will send the same to the state government. Once the state government inspects the report, the same will be sent to the central government. Then the central government will approve the project.

NCSCM will draw the new map using GIS software. Changes will be made in the 2011 map and the new map will be fixed on the village Cadastral map that is there at present and a new CRZ map will be made.

Dr Y K Dinesh Kumar, regional director, Dakshina Kannada environment department says, "Now we have received pre-draft maps. We have to inspect whether any major errors are there. Draft map will arrive in 15 days once we send the same. People will get an opportunity to give their petitions on the new map."